Hong Jong-hak

In this Korean name, the family name is Hong.

Hong Jong-hak
홍종학
Minister of SMEs and Startups
In office 21 November 2017 – 8 April 2019
President	Moon Jae-in
Prime Minister	Lee Nak-yeon
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Park Young-sun
Member of the National Assembly
In office 30 May 2012 – 29 May 2016
Constituency	Proportional representation
Personal details
Born	(1959-05-12) 12 May 1959 Incheon, South Korea
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	Yonsei University UC San Diego

Hong Jong-hak (Korean: 홍종학; Hanja: 洪鍾學; born 12 May 1959) is an emeritus professor of economics at Gachon University previously served as President Moon Jae-in's first Minister of SMEs and Startups.

For the 2012 general election, he left Gachon University where he first started his teaching career in 1992 as a lecturer. As a parliamentarian, he took numerous roles in his party and its succeeding parties including one of its senior role, Chair of the Policy Planning Committee.

After announcing that he will not seek for re-election, he joined then-candidate Moon's presidential campaign.

He previously hosted radio show explaining economic issues at MBC Radio.

He holds three degrees in economics - a bachelor and master's from Yonsei University and a doctorate from University of California, San Diego.

Electoral history

Election	Year	District	Party Affiliation	Votes	Percentage of votes	Results
19th National Assembly General Election	2012	Proportional representation	Democratic United Party	7,777,123	36.45%	Won